Graham Walker

Superman Eddie Hall has muscled his way into the history books by deadlifting a world record half a ton - but says it almost killed him.

Blood vessels in his head exploded, causing nose bleeds and he told afterwards how he briefly passed out in front of a packed Leeds Arena.

Wife Alexandra, mother of their two children Layla, eight, and Maximus, four, looked visibly shaken but she broke into a huge proud smile as Eddie quickly recovered and got back on his feet.

The 28-year-old did what seemed the impossible - deadlifting around five stones more than anyone else ever has - at the World Deadlift Championships, which preceded Europe's Strongest Man competition

Game Of Thrones giant Hathor 'Thor' Bjornsson, aged 27, at almost 7ft and 30 stones, lost his European title to comeback veteran, former England and Britain's Strongest Man, Laurence Shahlaei, 33, from Swindon.

Eddie, at 6ft 3ins and 29 stones, affectionately know as The Beast, didn't compete for the Europe crown after his deadlift

But he now hopes to become the World's Strongest Man.

Earlier in the evening he beat his existing deadlift world record, with 465kgs, which two other strongmen matched. But he then raised the bar, literally, at 500kgs, over 1,102lbs, or nearly 80st.

In an exclusive video chat - see it in full on our web site - he said: "That nearly killed me.The pressure on my body was surreal. I passed out after. I had nose bleeds. It's not healthy doing something like that.

"But I've done it. I'm sure it will be in the history books for a very long time.

"I don't want to do it again but if it comes to the point where somebody breaks it, hell...I may just do.

"It's that great feeling, Like the first man on the moon, the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. And now I'm the first to deadlift half a ton. It's histpry and I'm very proud to be a part of it.

"The World's Strongest Man title is my dream. And I will keep pushing the limits until that happens. It's going to happen."

Fans also witnessed an amazing car carry world record with a 20 metre course covered in just 11.05 seconds by Laurence Shahlaei - standing inside and carrying a stripped-down VW Beetle car.

Eddie Hall deadlifts world record half a ton at Leeds Arena

It earned him vital points to become Europe's Strongest Man.

Fan favourite Thor, from Iceland, was defending the title for the third time and had taunted fans that his country, who beat England at football in the Euros, would win again. In a shock defeat he tied for second place with Sweden's Johannes Arsjo.

Flying the flag for Iceland but Game of Thrones giant Thor failed to retain his European title.